pay a visit
يزور
Literally: To give money (pay) a meeting (visit)
Use 'pay a visit' to sound more natural and intentional when planning to see someone or something.
In 15 Seconds
- A more natural, rhythmic way to say 'visit' someone or somewhere.
- Implies giving your time and attention as something valuable.
- Used in both friendly social chats and professional office settings.
Meaning
This phrase means to go and see someone or a place for a short time. It is a more polished and intentional way of saying you are going to visit someone.
Key Examples
3 of 6Planning to see a friend
I’ll pay you a visit this weekend if you're free.
I will visit you this weekend if you are free.
A boss talking to a team
The CEO decided to pay a visit to our branch today.
The CEO decided to visit our branch today.
Texting a sibling
You should pay a visit to Mom; she misses you!
You should visit Mom; she misses you!
Cultural Background
The phrase stems from the 18th-century tradition of 'social calls' where visiting was a formal social currency. It treats time and presence as a valuable commodity that one 'pays' to another to maintain social bonds. In modern British and American English, it remains one of the most common ways to soften the act of visiting.
The 'Quick' Trick
If you want to sound like you aren't staying long, always add 'quick'. Saying 'I'll pay a quick visit' removes the pressure from the host.
Don't forget the 'to'
A common mistake is saying 'pay a visit my friend'. You must include 'to' for it to be grammatically correct.
In 15 Seconds
- A more natural, rhythmic way to say 'visit' someone or somewhere.
- Implies giving your time and attention as something valuable.
- Used in both friendly social chats and professional office settings.
What It Means
Pay a visit is a classic English collocation. It means you are going to see someone or something. It sounds a bit more deliberate than just saying visit. When you pay a visit, you are giving your time and attention to someone else. It is like a gift of your presence. It works for people, places, or even your old hometown.
How To Use It
You use it just like a verb, but it is a phrase. You can pay a visit to your grandmother. You can pay a visit to a new art gallery. Usually, we use the preposition to after it. For example: I need to pay a visit to the dentist. It sounds smooth and natural in conversation. It makes your English sound more like a native speaker and less like a textbook.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to sound polite or friendly. It is great for social plans. Use it when you are announcing your arrival. For example, I'll pay you a visit next week! It is also very common in professional settings. You might pay a visit to a client’s office. It sounds professional but not stiff. It shows you are making an effort to be there.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for very long stays. If you are living with someone for a month, do not say you are paying a visit. That sounds like you are just dropping by for tea. Also, avoid it in extreme emergencies. If you are rushing to the hospital, just say I'm going to the hospital. Pay a visit sounds a bit too relaxed for a crisis. Don't use it if you are forced to be somewhere, like jail.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, time is often treated like money. We spend time and we save time. That is why we pay a visit. It implies that your time has value. By paying it to someone, you are showing they are important. It dates back several centuries. It reflects a time when social calls were more formal and structured. Today, it is a warm way to show connection.
Common Variations
You can change the adjective to add flavor. You can pay a quick visit if you are in a rush. You can pay a long-overdue visit if you haven't seen someone in years. Sometimes people say pay a call, but that is very old-fashioned. Stick with pay a visit for modern life. You can also pay a visit to the restroom, which is a polite way to excuse yourself!
Usage Notes
This is a highly versatile collocation that fits into almost any social or professional register. Just remember that it always requires the preposition 'to' when followed by an object.
The 'Quick' Trick
If you want to sound like you aren't staying long, always add 'quick'. Saying 'I'll pay a quick visit' removes the pressure from the host.
Don't forget the 'to'
A common mistake is saying 'pay a visit my friend'. You must include 'to' for it to be grammatically correct.
The Bathroom Secret
In the US and UK, 'pay a visit' is a very common 'polite' way to say you are going to the toilet without being graphic.
Examples
6I’ll pay you a visit this weekend if you're free.
I will visit you this weekend if you are free.
A friendly way to suggest a meeting.
The CEO decided to pay a visit to our branch today.
The CEO decided to visit our branch today.
Sounds professional and slightly formal.
You should pay a visit to Mom; she misses you!
You should visit Mom; she misses you!
Used to encourage a social connection.
I need to pay a visit to the ladies' room.
I need to go to the bathroom.
A very common polite euphemism for using the restroom.
We paid a visit to Grandpa in the hospital yesterday.
We visited Grandpa in the hospital yesterday.
Shows care and intentionality during a tough time.
You must pay a visit to that new bakery on Main Street.
You must visit that new bakery on Main Street.
Used as a recommendation for a place.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct preposition to complete the phrase.
I'm going to pay a visit ___ my old school tomorrow.
We always use 'to' after 'pay a visit' when mentioning the person or place being visited.
Complete the sentence with the correct verb form.
He ___ a quick visit to the office before heading to the airport.
The standard collocation is 'pay a visit', and in the past tense, it becomes 'paid'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Scale of 'Pay a Visit'
Dropping by
I'll pop in.
Standard social/work
I'll pay a visit.
Official business
I shall attend a meeting.
Where to Pay a Visit
Family
Paying a visit to Grandma
Health
Paying a visit to the doctor
Politeness
Paying a visit to the restroom
Tourism
Paying a visit to a museum
Frequently Asked Questions
11 questions'Visit' is a simple verb, while 'pay a visit' is a more idiomatic expression. 'Pay a visit' often sounds more intentional and slightly more polite in conversation.
Yes! You can pay a visit to a city, a shop, or a park. For example: We paid a visit to Paris last summer.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend. It is versatile and safe for almost any situation.
No, it has nothing to do with money. You are 'paying' with your time and presence.
The past tense of 'pay' is 'paid'. So you would say, I paid them a visit yesterday.
No, the correct preposition is 'to'. You pay a visit to someone or somewhere.
'Pay a call' is a very old-fashioned version of 'pay a visit'. You might see it in old books, but people rarely say it now.
Usually, no. It implies a shorter stay, like an afternoon or a few hours. For a two-week trip, just use visit or stay.
It is a euphemism. It sounds more elegant than saying I need to pee. It is a way to be discreet in social settings.
Yes, it is very common in both American and British English. It is a global English expression.
Technically yes, but it sounds a bit funny. Usually, we just say check out or visit for websites.
Related Phrases
drop by
To visit someone informally without an appointment.
stop by
To make a short visit on your way to somewhere else.
pop in
A very casual, British way to say you are visiting briefly.
pay one's respects
A formal visit to show honor, often to someone who has died.
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